Jim Davis completes coaching staff with addition of Bart Walker

Aug 20, 2012

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Bart Walker is the final piece to women's
basketball coach Jim Davis' puzzle. Walker was named assistant
coach and completes a five-member staff after a brief two-year
hiatus from coaching. His primary responsibilities will include
scouting opponents, acting as the liaison between strength and
conditioning and the team, as well coaching the wings.

"I am very pleased with this coaching staff. The chemistry is
good and it's a very knowledgeable coaching staff," said head coach
Jim Davis. "It's a very loyal coaching staff. Team chemistry
is so important, but the coaching chemistry is just as important.
We're all going to be pulling in the same direction; hopefully
that's the right direction."

Walker noted on the chemistry as well.

"It's been a natural fit here. All of the coaches come from
successful programs. We all have had success along the way and we
all bring different prospectives. With Erin's energy and WNBA
background, and Ally's relationship with Tech and the community,
it's just been a perfect fit. We're all excited to dive in," said
Walker.

Walker has 10 years of coaching behind him as he enters the 2012
season with the Golden Eagles. Over his coaching career, Walker has
accumulated a record of 217-71. He has earned Coach of the Year
honors four times, and made four Elite 8 appearances in the junior
college National Tournament. After his brief hiatus, Walker
is more than ready to be in the heat of competition.

"For two years I didn't go in a high school gym. I spent two
years being a dad and coaching kids. Seeing the fundamentals, and
the joy of the kids, for so long I missed that, being back at the
roots of the game," said Walker. "The conversations I have now with
the girls are a little different and I'm excited to see what we can
do this year."

With all of Walker's accomplishments, Davis is excited to have
his staff completed.

"Bart has 10 years of valuable experience at the collegiate
level. He's going to be very important to our coaching staff,"
Davis said.

Walker was the head women's basketball coach at Northwest
Florida State College before moving back to Tennessee. In his two
seasons as head coach, the Raiders went 38-16, and made a state
regional semi-final appearance.

A native of Knoxville, Walker spent the beginning of his career
in Tennessee. Working his way from a volunteer assistant at Walters
State Community College in Morristown to the head coaching ranks at
his first position at Hiwassee College.

Prior to Northwest Florida State, Walker spent four years at the
helm of the Chattanooga State Tigers. During his four years
as head coach, Walker led the Tigers to three-straight state
regional finals appearances, including a National Tournament Elite
8 appearance in 2006.

Walker started his career at Hiwassee College in Madisonville,
Tenn. His teams earned two State Regional Championships and made
two National Tournament Elite 8 appearances in 2003 and 2004. He
tallied an 81-35 record during his four years with the Tigers.

Walker grew up playing the sport he now coaches, beginning at
Powell area high school, where he's spent the past two years
coaching high school girls basketball. After high school, Walker
played at Walters State Community College and then finished his
playing career at Lincoln Memorial University.

Walker and his wife Kristy, have two children, Molly, 12, and
Branson, 8.